Developing Developing DefensemenDefensemen

Presented ByPresented By

Matt WalshMatt Walsh

I I believe in the basics: attention to, believe in the basics: attention to, and perfection of, tiny details that and perfection of, tiny details that might commonly be overlooked. might commonly be overlooked. They may seem trivial to others, but They may seem trivial to others, but details are the difference between details are the difference between champions and near champions. champions and near champions. Details create success.Details create success.

John WoodenJohn Wooden

How Do We Teach ?How Do We Teach ?Have A PlanHave A PlanBreak Into Smaller ComponentsBreak Into Smaller ComponentsProgression Progression -- Multiple SkillsMultiple SkillsAsk Questions ? Ask Questions ? -- ChallengeChallengeGive A Reason Give A Reason -- Game ApplicationGame ApplicationLet Players Make DecisionsLet Players Make DecisionsRepetition, Repetition, RepetitionRepetition, Repetition, Repetition

Skill DevelopmentSkill DevelopmentSkill Development Is A Skill Development Is A

Prerequisite To Any Concept Prerequisite To Any Concept We Teach.We Teach.

SkatingSkatingBackwardsBackwardsTurns Turns Pivots Pivots Escape MovesEscape MovesLateral MovementLateral MovementStarts / StopsStarts / Stops

TurnsTurns

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1. D skates forward to cone. At cone, D turns and skates backwards to next cone and then turns forward. D skates to final cone, turns and skates backwards to end. Have players initiate the turn with their head and always turn to the outside.

2. D starts at cone and skates backwards. At cone inside blue line, the D turns head to the net and skates forward to the net, stopping in crease. Make sure players bring arms and heels in tight, initiate the turn with the head, and turn the head directly to the net.

Pivots Pivots -- W DrillW Drill

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In the W Drill, the player always keeps his/her chest facing up ice. D starts skating forward, performs pivot around cone and skates backwards to next cone. D then steps out and pivots, skating forward to next cone.

Escape MovesEscape Moves

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Lateral Movement DrillLateral Movement Drill

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Checking / Body Checking / Body PositionPosition

Types:Types:Poke, SweepPoke, SweepStick Press, LiftStick Press, LiftStick On Stick, Stick On Stick, Body On BodyBody On BodyShoulderShoulderHip, PinHip, Pin

Along The Along The BoardsBoardsIn The CornersIn The CornersIn Front Of NetIn Front Of NetOpen IceOpen IceProtecting The Protecting The PuckPuck

Common Problems Common Problems with Checkingwith Checking

Where Does The Power For Checking Where Does The Power For Checking Come From?Come From?How Far From An Opponent Do You How Far From An Opponent Do You Need To Be To Check Properly?Need To Be To Check Properly?In What Direction Do You Ideally In What Direction Do You Ideally Want To Check An Opponent?Want To Check An Opponent?What Is The Position Of Your Stick What Is The Position Of Your Stick During All Checks?During All Checks?

AnswersAnswersYour LegsYour LegsNo Distance No Distance -- Zero, Zilch, None, Nil, Zero, Zilch, None, Nil, Nada, NaughtNada, NaughtBack In The Direction From Which Back In The Direction From Which The Player CameThe Player CameOn The Ice And Back In The Direction On The Ice And Back In The Direction From Which The Player CameFrom Which The Player Came

What Are The What Are The Problems ?Problems ?

The Golden Rules

There Are Two Fundamental There Are Two Fundamental Principals That Are The Basis Principals That Are The Basis For All Defensive SituationsFor All Defensive Situations..

INSIDE THE DOTSINSIDE THE DOTS

Why Inside The Dots ?Point Of Reference Is The Same On All Point Of Reference Is The Same On All RinksRinksKeeps Defensive Partners in Support Keeps Defensive Partners in Support PositionPositionOpponents Attack This AreaOpponents Attack This AreaEasier To Recover If A Mistake Is MadeEasier To Recover If A Mistake Is MadeOpens Up Passing OptionsOpens Up Passing OptionsBetter Shooting Angles Better Shooting Angles -- Offensive ZoneOffensive ZoneCan Dictate The Play Of The OpponentCan Dictate The Play Of The Opponent

Always Position Yourself On A Always Position Yourself On A Straight Line Between The Straight Line Between The Puck And Your GoaltenderPuck And Your Goaltender

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Why Position Between Puck Carrier And Goaltender ?

Forward Must Go Through Forward Must Go Through ““DD”” To To Get To Goaltender Get To Goaltender Forces Forward To Make Decision Forces Forward To Make Decision --““DD”” Dictates PlayDictates PlayForces Opponent Outside The Forces Opponent Outside The Scoring Area Scoring Area -- Outside The DotsOutside The Dots

Concepts and Reading Concepts and Reading SituationsSituations

ConceptsConceptsAnglingAnglingGap ControlGap ControlSupportSupportDefensive PositionDefensive PositionPressurePressureTransition

OutnumberedOutnumbered2 on 12 on 13 on 13 on 13 on 23 on 21 on 21 on 22 on 32 on 3

EvenEven1 on 11 on 12 on 22 on 23 on 3

Transition

3 on 3

Angling:Angling: Approaching An Approaching An Opponent In A Certain Direction Opponent In A Certain Direction Which Forces That Opponent To Which Forces That Opponent To Move The Way You Want Them To Move The Way You Want Them To Go.Go.

(Do not skate directly at opponent, (Do not skate directly at opponent, but skate to a space.)but skate to a space.)

Angling DrillsAngling Drills

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Angling DrillsAngling Drills

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1. D starts with puck at blue line. Forward starts in middle of ice at opposite blue line. When D starts to move, forward must angle keeping the feet moving, close gap to zero, and perform a body contact technique. Forward must take an angle so D does not cut back to middle of ice.

Option - Perform same drill and have D and F switch positions. D must work on their gap, pivot from forwards to backwards at point “A”, angle to close gap to zero, and perform a boards check.

Gap Control:Gap Control: Adjusting The Adjusting The Distance Between Yourself And Distance Between Yourself And An Opponent, Defensive Partner, An Opponent, Defensive Partner, Offensive Teammate, Or Offensive Teammate, Or Goaltender.Goaltender.

Between Teammates, It Is Called Between Teammates, It Is Called SUPPORT.SUPPORT.

A Correct GAP Is What A Correct GAP Is What Distance?Distance?

Two Stick LengthsTwo Stick Lengths

Regardless If It Is An Regardless If It Is An Opponent, Defensive Opponent, Defensive Partner, Forward, Or Partner, Forward, Or

Goaltender.Goaltender.

Loose vs. Tight GapLoose vs. Tight GapAs We Move Closer To Our Goaltender As We Move Closer To Our Goaltender

And Inside The Dots, Our Gap Gets And Inside The Dots, Our Gap Gets Tighter.Tighter.

Our Gap Is Zero If An Opponent Has Our Gap Is Zero If An Opponent Has The Puck In Our Zone And Inside The The Puck In Our Zone And Inside The Dots.Dots.

How To Teach GapHow To Teach GapShadow Drills, Mirror DrillsShadow Drills, Mirror DrillsFollow The LeaderFollow The LeaderOne On One, Out Of Corner One On One, Out Of Corner -- Blue Blue Line InLine InPursuit SprintsPursuit SprintsProtect The DotProtect The DotIn Front Of Net CoverageIn Front Of Net CoverageNeutral Ice RegroupNeutral Ice Regroup

Shadow / Mirror DrillsShadow / Mirror Drills

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In Mirror or Shadow Drills. The Forward and Defense face each other. The F can skate anywhere in the zone always facing the D. The D must imitate the F while performing stops, starts, lateral movement, backwards skating, forwards skating, pivots, shuffle steps, and crossovers. The D must always keep a TWO STICK LENGTH GAP, face the F, and stay tothe inside.

1 on 1 1 on 1 -- Out Of Corner, Blue Line InOut Of Corner, Blue Line In

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1. D starts in hash-mark with puck. F starts in Corner. D passes the puck to F and skates forward to close the gap. When F receives the puck, he/she can proceed to score a goal. D must close gap, pivot backwards keeping self between puck carrier and goaltender, angle, and perform a body contact technique. Do not let D skate forward directly at F, but rather adjust gap, skate backward, angle to close gap and perform body contact.

2. Same as Out of Corner. D must adjust gap, always staying to inside, pivot backwards, angle to close gap, and perform a body contact technique.

1 on 1 1 on 1 -- Off Boards, D ReactionOff Boards, D ReactionDD

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1. D and F start on boards. F has puck. On whistle, F goes to the net. D must move inside the dots, adjusting gap while staying to the inside. D then angles and performs a body contact technique. Have F and D switch positions.

2. F starts moving and Coach passes the puck to F. D reacts to the pass, adjusts gap using lateral movement, angles to close gap, and performs a body contact technique.

Pursuit SprintPursuit SprintDD FFFF

1. Forward skates set pattern as shown. D skates backwards, pivots forward, and then backward. D must keep tight gap to forward, taking away any open space. Drill is finished when they reach the red line. Have D and F switch lines.

Pursuit SprintPursuit Sprint

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1. Forwards start in three lines. Forwards perform stops and starts while skating forward. D must skate backward, pivot forward, and pivot and skate backward. D always keeps the appropriate gap to F. Have D and F switch lines.

Backchecking DrillBackchecking Drill

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1. F1 initially takes a route to the goal. F2 keeps tight gap and body position to the inside. F1 can try to cut back or continue to goal. F2 keeps tight gap and defensive body position between F1 and goal. Coach can pass at any time to F1 once they enter the zone. They play until the whistle.

Teaching GapTeaching Gap

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Move Out Of Zone Move Out Of Zone -- Adjusting Gap To Adjusting Gap To ForwardsForwards

Teaching GapTeaching Gap

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Regroup At Neutral IceRegroup At Neutral Ice

Defensive PositionDefensive PositionStay Between The DotsStay Between The DotsPosition Yourself On A Straight Line Position Yourself On A Straight Line Between The Puck And Your Between The Puck And Your GoaltenderGoaltenderGap Is Two Stick LengthsGap Is Two Stick Lengths

These Constants Determine Where You These Constants Determine Where You Are On The Ice. Are On The Ice. ““DD”” Can Then Angle Can Then Angle And Make Play.And Make Play.

Offensive Zone Offensive Zone PositionPosition

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Neutral Zone PositionNeutral Zone Position

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Defensive Zone Defensive Zone PositionPosition

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PressurePressureCauses Forwards To Make Decision Causes Forwards To Make Decision Before Their Ready. Before Their Ready. Take Away Time And Space. Take Away Time And Space. Causes Turnovers And Creates Causes Turnovers And Creates Scoring Opportunities.Scoring Opportunities.Aggressive Aggressive -- Have Proper SupportHave Proper SupportContainment/Passive Containment/Passive -- Have No Have No SupportSupport

TransitionTransitionDefense To Offense, Offense To Defense To Offense, Offense To Defense. Defense. D Must Constantly Evaluate Position D Must Constantly Evaluate Position On Ice. Split Second DecisionsOn Ice. Split Second DecisionsCreate Drills Where Create Drills Where ““DD”” Must Act On Must Act On Puck Possession Changes And Be Puck Possession Changes And Be Aware Of Their Defensive PositioningAware Of Their Defensive PositioningAnticipation Anticipation Proper Gap To Own ForwardsProper Gap To Own Forwards

Reading SituationsReading SituationsStarts Before We Get Near The PuckStarts Before We Get Near The Puck

Turnover (Offense vs. Defense)Turnover (Offense vs. Defense)RegroupRegroupBreakoutBreakout

Communication Of Teammates, Including Communication Of Teammates, Including The GoaltenderThe GoaltenderHockey Sense Hockey Sense -- Can Improve Through Can Improve Through Repetition Of Situational DrillsRepetition Of Situational DrillsRead And Act vs. Read And ReactRead And Act vs. Read And React

Analysis Of SituationsAnalysis Of SituationsPosition Of Puck Position Of Puck -- Inside Or Outside Of Inside Or Outside Of DotsDotsPuck Carrier Puck Carrier -- Ahead Of Play Or Behind Ahead Of Play Or Behind The PlayThe PlayLeft Or Right Handed, Forehand, Left Or Right Handed, Forehand, BackhandBackhandSpeed Of Puck CarrierSpeed Of Puck CarrierDo You Have Support Of Your Forwards Do You Have Support Of Your Forwards Or PartnerOr Partner

Constants For All Constants For All SituationsSituations

Remember Remember -- Inside Dots, Straight Inside Dots, Straight Line, Proper Gap Line, Proper Gap Defense Controls The Play By Defense Controls The Play By PositionPositionAngle To Force The PlayAngle To Force The Play

One on OneOne on OneLosing One On Ones Creates Losing One On Ones Creates BreakdownsBreakdownsUse Drills In Confined Areas, Half Ice, Use Drills In Confined Areas, Half Ice, And Full Ice And Full Ice Challenge DefenseChallenge Defense -- No Sticks, On No Sticks, On Knees, Impossible AnglesKnees, Impossible AnglesAll Even Situations All Even Situations -- Play Puck Carrier Play Puck Carrier As Soon As Gain Defensive PositionAs Soon As Gain Defensive Position

One on OneOne on One

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Confined Areas

Two On One: Two On One: ObjectiveObjective

Force A Shot From Outside The Force A Shot From Outside The Dots, Or Delay The Play Long Dots, Or Delay The Play Long Enough To Receive Support Enough To Receive Support

From A BackcheckerFrom A Backchecker

Two On OneTwo On OneDefenseman Controls The PlayForce Puck Wide Using Lateral MovementTake Away Slot ShotDon’t Go Below Hash MarksDon’t Go Outside DotsRely On Your GoaltenderDangerous Puck, Dangerous Man

Two On OneTwo On One

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Two On OneTwo On One

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Three On Two: Three On Two: ObjectiveObjective

Aggressive: Aggressive: Force Play Before Force Play Before Your Blue LineYour Blue Line

Passive: Passive: Delay Play Long Enough Delay Play Long Enough To Receive Support From To Receive Support From BackcheckerBackchecker

Three On TwoThree On TwoDefense Controls The Play; Force Defense Controls The Play; Force Puck To Outside Using PositionPuck To Outside Using PositionForce Play In Neutral Ice Using Force Play In Neutral Ice Using Lateral MovementLateral MovementKeep Correct Gap Between PartnerKeep Correct Gap Between PartnerOnce Committed; Pressure, Once Committed; Pressure, Pressure, PressurePressure, Pressure

Three on TwoThree on Two

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Three on TwoThree on Two

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Three on TwoThree on Two

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Three on TwoThree on Two

Puck Ahead Of Puck Ahead Of Play

Puck Behind Puck Behind Play

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Questions ?Questions ?

Thank You !Thank You !